Royal Wootton Bassett Town Over 50s finally got off the mark with a gutsy comeback win against North Leigh Red. Goals from Bryan Watson, Rob Mitchell and Steve Fisher were enough to see off the visitors who scored twice courtesy of Andrew Chalmers and Robin Foreshaw. The game was tense and tetchy at times, far from a classic. But "never mind the quality, feel the points" was the final verdict from a Bassett point of view.

Both sides came into the game pointless and realising that this was a great chance to kick start their seasons. It was North Leigh who carved out the first real chance when a visiting attacker had space in the area to direct a header towards goal that Stephens collected comfortably on the bounce. Bassett came back strongly with attacking threats Lynch, Fisher, Campbell and Mitchell exerting pressure on the visitors' goal. North Leigh 'keeper Nick Brown made several good saves with his legs from close range and was sharply off his line on a number of occasions to snuff out danger.

The away side were still hanging in the contest and were almost gifted the lead midway through the first half. Full back Martyn Purcell played a poor back pass to his keeper that was intercepted by a North Leigh forward. Stephens in the home goal raced from his line to block the shot with his legs to keep the scores level.

Despite this scare, in truth Bassett were on top, and the majority of the game was played in the opposition half. Eventually midfielder Bryan Watson broke the deadlock on 35 minutes. He dribbled his way past the North Leigh defence and beat the 'keeper with a firm drive that crashed in off the base of the left hand post.

Bassett pushed hard to double their lead before half time: Steve Lynch struck a post, a penalty appeal was turned down following a goal line scramble, and other chances came and went, but they had to settle for a slender one goal advantage at the break. At the other end Stephens needed two attempts to claim a cross into the box.

Manager Paul Gardner reshuffled his side at half time. John Stack had already entered the fray at full back part way through the opening period and further fresh faces came on for the second half. Andrew Huggins came on up front with Steve Lynch dropping back into midfield. Mike Rouse came on for Kenny Campbell out wide.

Bassett struggled to get going in the second period and their lack of cohesion encouraged the visitors to get forward down both flanks. They were rewarded on 55 minutes when a centre from the right found a man unmarked in the box, and he nodded home an equaliser as Stephens rushed out to meet him.

Bassett were getting anxious, but held on due to the tenacious tackling and calming influence of left back Bob Ellis. He was ably supported by right back John Stack and central defensive pairing Paul Jack and Ian Mitchell who made several important clearances with head and feet as Bassett wobbled somewhat. At the other end Bassett continued to spurn chances. Andrew Huggins got into great positions twice but he hit the 'keeper's legs with one effort and saw another low angled drive superbly turned around the post by the excellent Brown.

Almost inevitably Bassett were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal. A speculative long range effort from outside the area should have been saved by home 'keeper Stephens, but instead he palmed the ball into the roof of the net to give North Leigh an unlikely lead.

Incredibly Bassett went straight down the other end from the restart and Rob Mitchell blasted low past Brown to tie the game back up at 2-2.

There were still over twenty minutes left on the clock and the game could have gone either way at this stage. North Leigh had a great chance to go back in front when a forward burst into the box only to fire wide as Stephens came out to meet him. They did find the net again but the whistle had long since blown for offside.

The clock had reached the eighty minute mark when Bassett finally and decisively hit the front again. The hard working Andrew Huggins drove at the North Leigh defence before slipping in Steve Fisher with a pass. The big man steadied himself and, seeing the 'keeper slightly off his line, chipped the ball exquisitely into the top left hand corner to send the Bassett fans wild with delight.

Roger Webb came on for the valiant Paul Jack to add fresh legs for the closing stages. The Royal Blues saw the game out relatively comfortably after that to seal the 3-2 win and break their league duck. North Leigh fought valiantly, and will take heart from a vast improvement on their previous league results this season.

Man of the Match: Bob Ellis - A strong tackling and determined performance from the consistent left back. Always takes responsibility while calming and encouraging his team mates. Someone you want on your side in a tight scrap like this game was.

Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Wednesday 1st December 2021 at 08:38